A recent investigation by World Animal Protection and Collective Fashion Justice has revealed that South African ostrich farms are using inhumane techniques to remove feathers from living birds. The investigation found that ostriches are cornered by workers, who put bags over their heads and then cut and pull out their feathers without administering pain relief. This process is repeated every six months on some birds, causing them immense distress and pain.
The investigation documented footage of ostriches being subjected to this cruel treatment on commercial farms and at feather-processing facilities in South Africa. The footage is part of a report entitled "Blood Feathers", which examines the conditions on these farms and facilities. The report highlights the suffering of ostriches in the industry, including injured birds that appear unable to stand and others with wounds from pecking at each other's eyes and feathers.
The ostrich industry in South Africa produces meat, leather, and feathers, with the country accounting for about 75 percent of the global ostrich market. The investigation found that farms and feather-processing facilities in South Africa supply feathers to luxury brands including YSL, Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Chanel, as well as to fast-fashion giant Shein. Some farms cut feathers above the bloodline, which means they are still growing and supplied with blood, before pulling them from the animals' skin with pliers.
According to World Animal Protection, the process of cutting and pulling out feathers is extremely distressing for the ostriches involved. The charity said that blood is often found in the shaft of these feathers, which led to the term "blood feathers". The investigation challenges claims that ostrich feathers used in fashion are simply collected during the birds' natural moult.
Animal welfare groups are calling out fashion brands for their role in the cruel treatment of ostriches. Olivia Charlton, campaign manager at World Animal Protection, said that "feathers are the new fur" and that the fashion industry must take responsibility for the suffering of ostriches. Emma Hakansson, founding director of Collective Fashion Justice, said that it is "utterly inconsistent" for fashion brands to reject fur while embracing ostrich feathers.
The investigation also revealed that more than 150 tonnes of ostrich feathers were exported from South Africa during the 2024-25 season, while about 150,000 ostriches were slaughtered for the feather, meat, and skin trades. The data was obtained from the South African government. The ostrich industry has a long history in South Africa, with ostrich feathers being the country's fourth-largest export in the early 1900s.
World Animal Protection and Collective Fashion Justice are urging fashion brands to take action to end the cruel treatment of ostriches. The groups are calling for brands to adopt more humane and sustainable practices, such as using innovative fabric manipulation techniques and bio-materials to create lightweight and voluminous fabrics.
Key points
- Ostrich farms in South Africa use cruel methods to remove feathers from living birds for luxury fashion brands.
- The investigation challenges claims that ostrich feathers used in fashion are simply collected during the birds' natural moult.
- Fashion brands are urged to take action to end the cruel treatment of ostriches and adopt more humane and sustainable practices.
